PASSIVE INSUFFICIENCY OF 2-JOINT SHOULDER MUSCLES

This preliminary study examined the effects of full elbow flexion and full elbow extension on the end-point of active range of motion of sho ulder flexion and shoulder extension respectively. The end-points were measured from lateral photographs of the right upper limbs of 30 men after they flexed and extended their shoulders with their elbows held in full flexion and full extension. Angular measurements showed that f ull elbow flexion limited shoulder flexion range of motion and that fu ll elbow extension limited shoulder extension range of motion. The res ults indicated that passive muscle insufficiency of active shoulder fl exion and extension was probably brought about by lengthening the tric eps brachii and the biceps brachii muscles respectively. Clinicians ar e encouraged to consider this passive insufficiency when measuring ran ge of motion of shoulder flexion and extension and when implementing t herapeutic interventions.